Biology Through Inquiry
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Inquiry in the Scientific Method
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Inquiry in The Cell Cycle
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An Experiment: Teaching the Cell Cycle
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Scientific inquiry refers to the diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence derived from their work. Inquiry also refers to the activities of students in which they develop knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, as well as an understanding of how scientists study the natural world. National Science Education Standards, p. 23.

Inquiry is actively investigating the answer to a question for the purpose of acquiring further knowledge and understanding. The consensus among most science education professionals is that science should be taught the way science is done, through inquiry. The problem is that most researchers of inquiry teaching disagree about what inquiry teaching is. Inquiry teaching is defined differently by different researchers, or the researchers may choose to use a different term for an approach that others apparently would identify with the inquiry label (Anderson, 2002).

 

Nevertheless, teaching through inquiry seems to be the best method when teaching science. Does that mean that other teaching methods, like direct instruction, are not effective methods of teaching science? Hmmm.

 

This site was designed to give you some insight into the world of teaching biology through inquiry.

 

Enjoy!